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The San Diego Legion rode an 18-3 halftime lead through a low-scoring second half to come away 21-10 winners over the Utah Warriors at Torero Stadium on Saturday. Sunshine facilitated running rugby in the first half but the conditions deteriorated in the second that served to put a halt on ambition.
Weather was not a factor in the opening 40 minutes. San Diego used the dry pitch to their advantage and stretched the Utah defense with JP du Plessis going over on the end of a flowing sideline-to-sideline attacking move that went through multiple sets of hands. Joe Pietersen added the extras and a penalty kick soon after to make it 10-point game.
Utah struggled to make inroads but eventually got into scoring position and Tim O’Malley knocked over a three-pointer. It broke up San Diego’s momentum but only temporarily.
A second Pietersen penalty was followed by a try just ahead of the intermission. Again the Warriors were found wanting in defense out wide, and this time it was Devin Short who was at the end of the try-scoring pass from Pietersen.
The Warriors found some extra zip at the break and came out with purpose. From a lineout just inside the 22 meter line they executed their driving maul to perfection with Angus MacLellan steering at the back and given the try.
Another score was on offer as Fetu’u Vainikolo picked off an errant Mike Te’o pass and broke clear. Short was able to track him down and the Utah support couldn’t connect to leave the opportunity begging.
Rain crept into the air and with its arrival continuity suffered. Eventually the San Diego scrum won a penalty and Pietersen added three points to ice the result. The Warriors had a chance to earn a losing bonus point at the death but a knock-on snuffed out the opportunity.
The Legion have a quick turnaround as they hit the road for a match against Austin Elite at Dell Diamond on Friday evening. Utah will play at home on Saturday against the Glendale Raptors.
SCORING
SAN DIEGO 21
Tries – J. du Plessis (18’), D. Short (38’)
Cons – J. Pietersen 1/2 (19’)
Pens – J. Pietersen 3/3 (22’, 33’, 73’)
UTAH 10
Tries – A. MacLellan (44’)
Cons – T. O’Malley 1/1 (45’)
Pens – T. O’Malley 1/1 (28’)
TEAMS
SAN DIEGO LEGION
1 Nathan Sylvia (17 Faka’osi Pifeleti 60’), 2 Dean Muir (20 Psalm Wooching 56’), 3 Paddy Ryan (18 Aaron Mitchell 60’), 4 Louis Stanfill (19 Siaosi Mahoni 64’), 5 Keni Nasoqeqe, 6 Chris Turori (16 Kapeli Pifeleti 21’), 7 Devin Short (23 Save Totovosau 75′), 8 Drew Gaffney, 9 Nick Boyer, 10 Joe Pietersen (capt.), 11 Nate Augspurger, 12 JP du Plessis, 13 Dylan Audsley, 14 Ryan Matyas (22 Kyle Rogers 70’), 15 Mike Te’o
Not used: 21 Tai Enosa
UTAH WARRIORS
1 Franco van den Berg (17 Huluholo Mo’ungaloa 70’), 2 Logan Daniels (16 Blake Burdette 70’), 3 Angus MacLellan (20 Alex Tucci 70’), 4 Saia Uhila (19 Maikeli Naromaitoga 61’), 5 Matt Jensen, 6 Lance Williams (18 Jackson Kaka 65’), 7 Ara Elkington, 8 John Cullen, 9 Ian Luciano (23 Joseph Nicholls 65’), 10 Josh Reeves, 11 Fetu’u Vainikolo (22 Josh Anderson 73’), 12 Tim O’Malley (capt.), 13 Jeremy Misailegalu (21 Gannon Moore 43’), 14 Tonata Lauti, 15 Josh Whippy
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Luke Rogan (USAR)
Assistants: Derek Summers (USAR) & Moe Chaudhry (RC)
